XN000022-1991-01-07 — Page 12

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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991

NEVERTHELESS, SIR TI LIANG SAID THE JUDICIARY NOW HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE SO THAT CANDIDATES, WHO ARE TO BE GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, CAN BE INVITED TO COME TO HONG KONG, AT THE JUDICIARY'S EXPENSE, SO THAT MEMBERS AND LEADING FIGURES IN THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS CAN MEET HIM OR HER TO FORM A PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, AND THE CANDIDATE WILL ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORM AN ASSESSMENT OF THIS CITY GENERAL AND THE JUDICIARY IN PARTICULAR.

IN

THE CHIEF JUSTICE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS THE APPLICATION FOR THOSE EMPLOYED ON CONTRACT TERMS TO GO ONTO THE PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT, AND ALSO THE APPLICATION OF THOSE ON CONTRACT FOR A DEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME TO HAVE THEIR CONTRACTS RENEWED WHEN THESE EXPIRE BY EFFLUXION OF TIME.

"WHILST THE COMMISSION DOES NOT FEEL OBLIGED TO RECOMMEND A RENEWAL OF CONTRACT, THE INSTANCES OF REFUSAL ARE RARE, EXCEPT FOR THOSE MAGISTRATES WHO WISH TO STAY ON AFTER THE RETIREMENT AGE OF 60, HE MAINTAINED.

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EXPLAINING WHY HE HAD GIVEN AN OUTLINE ON THE APPOINTMENTS, SIR TI LIANG SAID: "I AM GRATIFIED TO NOTE THAT THERE IS A HEALTHY DESIRE ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE,

"THE PARAMOUNT OBJECTIVE IS A JUDICIARY OF QUALITY AND INDEPENDENCE WHICH COMMANDS PUBLIC CONFIDENCE; AND THE SYSTEM NECESSARILY A HUMAN ONE OF COURSE HAS BEEN FASHIONED TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE BY AN IMPARTIAL, FAIR AND EFFECTIVE PROCESS.

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THE CHIEF JUSTICE CONCLUDED HIS ADDRESS BY ASSURING MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE AND PUBLIC THAT THE JUDICIARY WOULD DO ITS BEST NOBODY FORGETS THE INTERESTS OF THE CANDIDATES AND AT THE SAME TIME, NOBODY IS ENTITLED TO PUT ANY INTEREST ABOVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

EARLIER, SIR TI LIANG ACKNOWLEDGED IN HIS SPEECH THE RETIREMENT OF MR JUSTICE O'CONNOR, WHO HAD LEFT THE JUDICIARY IN NOVEMBER AFTER 28 YEARS WITH THE JUDICIARY.

1990

THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID MR JUSTICE O'CONNOR IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED JUDGE WHO HAD MADE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW.

ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, JEREMY MATHEWS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, ANTHONY ROGERS, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, DONALD YAP.

MR

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THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR ORGANISED BY THE JUDICIARY WAS WELL ATTENDED BY JUDGES, MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES.

IT BEGAN WITH A CHURCH SERVICE AT CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, CAINE ROAD, AT 3.30 PM.

THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY ADDRESSES IN THE CONCERT HALL OF CITY HALL WHICH FINISHED AROUND 6.30 PM.

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